Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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374. To ask the Minister for Health in view of community nursing units having to comply with new Health Information and Quality Authority recommendations coming into effect in 2015, the way community nursing units in need of substantial capital funding can do so if limited funding is available for new projects. [43911/14]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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375. To ask the Minister for Health the way Health Information and Quality Authority will treat community nursing units which do not meet the new HIQA recommendations in 2015 because of capital funding issues. [43912/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.

Under the Health Act 2007, statutory responsibility is given to the Health Information and Quality Authority for the independent inspection and registration of certain categories of designated centres including residential care settings for older people. The functions of the Minister for Health in relation to HIQA and the Chief Inspector of Social Services are prescribed in the Act and the Chief Inspector is independent in this context.

All public units are currently registered with HIQA and the HSE is applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet residential need now and in the future. My Department is in consultation with the HSE on an ongoing basis and the position will be kept under review.